The Materials Testing and Analysis Unit within The University of Manchester'sSchool of Materials has been awarded the internationally recognisedISO 17025 Standard- making it the only accredited x-ray residual stresstesting laboratory in the U.K and one of the top-rated research Schools inthe UK.

Accreditation to this prestigious industry qualification is rare for a universitydue to the required level of commercial focus to meet industrial customers'quality demands. The University of Manchester is now one of only five UKuniversities to achieve the UK Accreditation Service's assessment of a testinglaboratory's performance in the field of engineering.

In 2001 the School of Materials was also one of only five UK Materials Schools to be top-rated as a 5-star (5*) centre of world-class research by the RAE (ResearchAssessment Exercise); the government-sponsored ranking of research quality inUK universities.

The Materials Testing and Analysis Unit was funded by NATEC (Northern AerospaceTechnology Exploitation Centre) in 2002 to provide access to unique x-ray diffractionand residual stress equipment, originally provided by £2 million of EPSRC funding. Itis now one of the leading laboratories in the world for materials analysis and development. Customers include UK primes such as Rolls Royce plc, key aerospacesuppliers, plus small to medium companies that wouldn't normally have access to suchhigh-technology facilities.

Services provided by the NATEC funded unit include the development of new productsand processes, product integrity analysis and failure analysis. A small team ofdedicated staff manage this business unit within the School of Materials, offering aflexible, responsive service and focusing on customer requirements and continuousimprovement.

Testing a failed impeller casting from the power generation industry.

NATEC was established by the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield to 'unlock'knowledge and resources for the UK aerospace industry. The organisation accessesover 200 academics and £300m equipment and has over 40 aerospace businessesat universities and colleges across Northern England. NATEC awarded the Materials Testing and Analysis Unit over £300,000; fundingfour staff members, the refurbishment and renovation of laboratory facilities and specialist advice on business development.

NATEC Chairman, Professor Philip Withers says, "We are extremely proud to haveachieved the prestigious UKAS accreditation to ISO 17025. In the futurethe Materials Testing and Analysis Unit plans to increase its top-rated business andresearch activities by opening up further unique and expert resources within theSchool of Materials for the benefit of UK industry."